Redskins to Visit Giants In NFL Opener on Sept. 4

In an NFC East matchup that will mark Jim Zorn's head coaching debut, the Washington Redskins and New York Giants will kick off the NFL season in a Thursday night game at Giants Stadium, sources said yesterday.

The time of the opener may change, however, from the usual 8:30 p.m. kickoff because Sept. 4 is the final night of the Republican National Convention. According to NFL spokesman Greg Aiello, the league is in talks with NBC to move the kickoff to 7 p.m.

The league will announce its opening weekend and national TV games at the annual owners' meeting that begins Monday in Palm Beach, Fla., with the rest of the schedule being announced later in April, according to the league.

The Redskins and Giants, who upset the New England Patriots to win Super Bowl XLII, split their two games last season.

Washington will kick off the preseason schedule as well, playing the Indianapolis Colts in the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 3 in Canton, Ohio. The day before the game, former Redskins Darrell Green and Art Monk will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.